This city-savvy survey of 29 family activities from Summerlin to Boulder City will keep your kids’ minds and bodies plenty busy
Centennial Hills: Learning naturally
Despite rapid growth, this suburban community in northwest Las Vegas has managed to maintain its rural flavor. There are historic parks, orchards and more modern amenities, such as libraries and community centers. Indeed, the Centennial Hills Community Center (6601 N. Buffalo Drive, 702-478-9622) is a 98,000-square-foot ode to fitness and fun, and has something for everyone. Adults can run, swim, lift, bicycle and stretch their way to better health while young people can exercise, create (paint and craft room), do homework (computers) and enjoy two outdoor pools with water slides during the summer. Add classroom space, locker rooms, a kitchen, child watch area, free kids’ gym for members and you never have to leave.
Summerlin area: Let’s active
Downtown’s art scene is growing, Henderson has history, and Boulder City is famous for the dam, but Summerlin is the neighborhood to explore if getting active is on the agenda.
It isn’t difficult to find a park, playground, or walking path in Summerlin. However, the most popular spots are those that offer a way to help take the edge off the desert heat. At Paseos Park (12122 Desert Moon Rd.), run through the enormous splash pad or play on the nearby covered playground. This park also has picnic tables in the shade. Don’t forget to bring along the beach toys; the Paseos Park sandbox is a favorite with toddlers. With its ample shade and wide variety of activities, this is the perfect stay-all-day playground.
For air-conditioned fun, strap on some bowling shoes and try to score a turkey at Red Rock Lanes (11011 W. Charleston Blvd., 702-797-7467). Unlike the typical smoke-filled, dimly lit bowling allies, Red Rock Lanes is bright, clean and family-friendly. To add a twist to your usual pin-dismantling routine, opt for cosmic bowling. Just try not to embarrass the kids too much with your sweet dance moves.
End a high-energy day with the kids by visiting the Summerlin branch of the Clark County Library District (1771 Inner Circle, 702-507-3860). With plenty of children’s books to peruse, this is a quiet way to shift into low gear before heading home. Parents of hesitant readers can seek out expert advice from librarians, finding the perfect page-turner to inspire their youngsters. Before you leave, visit the library’s art gallery for rotating exhibits from local artists. This small space is a manageable way to introduce toddlers to fine art. — Sarah Vernetti
Downtown: Culture crawl
Bringing your family to the urban core of Las Vegas isn’t quite the gritty ordeal it was a mere handful of years ago. Today downtown teems with museums, parks and other kid-friendly spots. You can make a whole and very wholesome day out of hanging in the ’hood — just avoid over-explaining the term “gentlemen’s club” when driving near or around Industrial Road, okay?
Some kids don’t seem to suffer vertigo, which is why you might think about leading yours up to the top of Stratosphere (2000 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-380-7777). The tower and observation deck are 1,100 feet in the air, with a 360-degree view of the valley, plus four thrill rides — Big Shot, Insanity, X Scream and the bungee-blasting SkyJump. The view is breathtaking. Another option for rambunctious little dudes and dudettes is SlotZilla (425 Fremont St.), a slot machine-themed zip-line ride that takes you anywhere between 70 to 110 feet above the entire length (1,700 feet) of Fremont Street Experience. Doing crazy stuff? It’s not just for tourists anymore.
Lunchtime is always the right time to hit Rock ‘N’ Noodles (1108 S. 3rd St., 702-522-9953), a quick, convenient place to treat the tykes to plates prepared for their palates — Just Like Paradise (fettuccine with creamy alfredo and diced pancetta), 99 Red Balloons (spaghetti with marinara and mini-meatballs), Return of the Mac (elbow macaroni with cheddar sauce, ground beef and bacon). The walls, adorned with classic rock album covers, allow for great conversation and games, too. For dessert, head over to Art of Flavors gelato shop (1616 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Suite 130, 702-676-1027) for unique tastes like Strawberry Pepper Balsamic. (There are simpler, kid-friendly flavors, too.) — Jarret Keene
Henderson: Take flight
Henderson, it’s A Place to Call Home — so boasts the city’s logo — and, certainly, it’s a popular spot to raise the kids, but after racing from the soccer field to the dance studio, to the pool, and the PTA meeting, what is there really for a family to do within the 103 square miles that make up Nevada’s second-largest city?
Well, certainly Henderson folks love their movies! The Green Valley District’s outdoor picture show, On the Green, makes for free good-weather fun. Every Friday and Saturday from May to October, the District shows family-friendly classics such as Ghostbusters and Gremlins. Plastic chairs are available, but you’re welcome to bring your own blankets to cozy up on; popcorn is free; and film listings and times are available online. ( shopthedistrictgvr.com/outdoorpicshow)
If you’re looking for a more luxurious theatre-going option, check out Green Valley’s Galaxy Luxury+ Theatres (4500 E. Sunset Road #10) where the ticket price is the same as most other cinemas in town, but the experience is so much better. Beyond the latest sound and projection technology, Galaxy offers movie-goers super-plush reclining seats; wine and beer for mom and dad to pair with their popcorn; a gourmet sausage bar; reserved seating; and the most current blockbusters.
Maybe your family would rather experience adventure than watch it on the big screen. Las Vegas Flight Ventures (lasvegasflightventures.com) lets you experience what it’s like to captain a jet airliner in one of four modern, full-motion simulators — this is the same cool technology that the commercial airlines use. Each cockpit can accommodate a family of four, including the captain; and there is no age requirement, although kids need to be 48 inches tall to be able to see the runway. $399 gets you a 30-minute preflight briefing, and clears you for takeoff and a full hour in the Boeing 737 simulator. Prices climb from there.
Think flying’s for the birds? The Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve (35 E. Galleria Drive, 702-267-4180) is a nature-lover’s paradise, attracting serious birders from all over the world. Overlooking nine evaporation ponds from the city’s wastewater reclamation project, the preserve hosts thousands of migratory birds traveling the Pacific Flyway, en route from Alaska to South America, and several resident desert birds — more than 200 species in total. Birding, tours and various educational workshops are free.
For family entertainment that falls somewhere between high-flying and bird watching, King Putt (27 Stephanie Street, 702-541-6807, kingputtlv.com) boasts on its website that it has the most advanced mini-golf course in the country. Glow-in-the-dark and interactive, the Egyptian-themed course is popular with kiddies, daddies and mummies (forgive me). But, don’t worry, if King Tut freaks you out, you can shoot him with a laser gun. Besides golf, King Putt has laser tag, as well as a generous arcade and a pizzeria. — Chantal Corcoran
Boulder City: History lives
With its Hoover Dam-building history and absence of casinos, Boulder City is an interesting contrast to Las Vegas. Escape the city and spend a day exploring the quieter side of Southern Nevada with the kids.
Start the day at Hemenway Park (401 Ville Dr.), where families will find a playground, basketball courts, picnic areas, and a rather conspicuous family of bighorn sheep. Although they sometimes wander up towards the parking lot, you’ll most likely find them sitting on the east side of the park in the shade. The bighorn sheep is the state animal of Nevada, so finding a few to observe in real life should be on every Las Vegas kid’s to-do list.
After you’ve finished your hike, drive into historic downtown Boulder City for a stroll down Nevada Way. With plenty of quirky motels, shops and restaurants along the way, it offers a small-town experience that kids growing up in Las Vegas might not get back home. Be sure to notice the sculptures that line the downtown streets, particularly Peter Pan and Babe the Pig by Mary Zimmerman. Stop in at Grandma Daisy’s (530 Nevada Way, 702-294-6639) for a scoop of ice cream or a chocolate turtle.